Magnetic engine

ABSTRACT

A first and a second magnet comprise the magnetic engine. The first magnet is coupled to the free end of a pendulum and the second magnet is pivotally mounted, and responsive to the swinging of the first magnet to cause pivotal or rotary motion of the second magnet.

United States Patent Inventor 0. Query 117 Summer St., Somerville, Mass. 02143 App]. No. 81,683

Filed Oct. 19, 1970 Patented Nov. 16, 1971 MAGNETIC ENGINE 4 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

U.S. CI 335/306, 310/ 103 Int. Cl H0" 7/02 Field of Search 335/209,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,833,943 5/1958 Anthony 310/103 X FOREIGN PATENTS 688,402 3/1953 Great Britain 335/306 Primary Examiner-G. Harris Auorney-Wolf, Greenfield and Sacks ABSTRACT: A first and a second magnet comprise the magnetic engine. The first magnet is coupled to the free end of a pendulum and the second magnet is pivotally mounted, and responsive to the swinging of the first magnet to cause pivotal or rotary motion of the second magnet.

MAGNETIC ENGINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to a magnetic engine, and is more particularly concerned with a magnetic engine including first and second interresponsive magnetic means.

One important object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic engine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic engine that efficiently transfers pendulum-type motion into rotary or pivotal motion.

A further object of the invention is to provide a magnetic engine according to the preceding objects that is relatively simple in design, durable in construction, and may be fabricated using conventional items that are of relatively low cost. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To accomplish these and other objects, the magnetic engine of this invention comprises a first magnet coupled to the free end of a pendulum capable of arcuate motion. A second magnet is pivotally secured adjacent to the first magnet, and the like poles of both the first and second magnets are in facing relationship to each other. The second magnet has a counterweight coupled thereto for normally biasing the second magnet to a first or rest position, and for returning the second magnet from a second position to the first position. The second magnet changes from the first position to the second position as the pendulum swings towards it and reverts to the first position when the pendulum swings away.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention should now become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawing which is a plan view of one embodiment of a magnetic engine constructed in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The magnetic engine includes two horseshoe-shaped magnets l and 12, with magnet suspended at the free end of pendulum bar 14. The top end of pendulum bar 14 is pivoted at 15, while the bottom end of bar 14 may be connected to magnet 10 by any means, e.g. glueing. The bar 14 may typically be a thin wooden strip.

The horseshoe magnet 12 is carried by a semicircular plate 13 which may be constructed of any nonmagnetic material such as wood. Plate 13 has a hole 13 disposed along centerline 1 at approximately its midpoint. Pivot pin 16 fits in the hole 13' in plate 13 and allows magnet 12 and plate 13 to freely rotate thereabout. Plate 13 may be secured to magnet 12 in any conventional manner, e.g. glueing.

A counterweight 18 extends from the bottom portion of magnet 12 and is adapted to fit between stops 20 and 22. The counterweight 18 biases the magnet 12 to the position shown in the drawing with counterweight 18 contacting stop 20 when pendulum arm 14 and magnet 10 are remote from magnet 12. The assembly may be mounted in a housing (not shown) which contains the stops 20 and 22 positioned to contact counterweight 18 and limit its arcuate movement.

When the magnet 10 moves to the right toward magnet 12, the north (N) poles of the magnets 10 and 12 approach each other. The drawing sh'ows magnet 10 and pendulum 14 in broken lines just as magnet 12 is about to move to its second position, with counterweight 18 contacting stop 22. At that time the north poles of both magnets 10 and 12 are closer together than the south (S) poles, and thus the greatest repelling force is between the north poles. Simultaneously, the mechanical force of magnet 10 on magnet 12 causes magnet 12 to rotate counterclockwise to the second position. In one mode of operation the north poles of magnets 10 and 12 may physically contact each other, thereby aiding in the movement of magnet 12 to the second position, with counterweight l8 contacting stop 22.

When magnet 12 moves to its second position, the south (S) pole of that magnet moves counterclockwise sufficiently to cause the two south poles of the two magnets to be substantially in contacting relation. When the pendulum 14 reaches its farthest rightward excursion the repelling forces between the south poles of the magnets aids in swinging pendulum 14 in the opposite direction away from magnet 12. With this arrangement the added propelling force provided by the opposed south poles along with the inherent energy associated with pendulum 14 is believed to cause pendulum 14 to return substantially to its initial starting position shown in full lines in the drawing. When pendulum 14 has swung away from magnet 12 a suflicient distance, counterweight 18 causes magnet 12 to revert to its first position, with counterweight 18 contacting stop 20. This motion of magnets 10 and 12 continues until frictional forces cause pendulum 14 to come to rest.

To provide for operation of this magnetic engine over longer time spans, a spring means (not shown) may be provided coupled to arm 14 to aid in the pendulum action and keep counterweight 18 translating between stops 20 and 22.

A certain amount of work can be provided by the apparatus shown in the drawing. For example, a member could be attached to counterweight 18 to translate the rotational movement into work. For example, the end of counterweight 18 could be coupled to a piston cylinder arrangement or a gearwheel (not shown).

It is contemplated that the engine shown in the drawings may be used quite'extensively in the clock and watch art to provide timing mechanisms that would not need to be wound as often as is now required without this arrangement. It is the aid of the magnetic field that should enable longer continuous operation of the device.

I-Iaving described certain embodiments of this invention, other modifications of and changes in these embodiments are contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of this invention, and to be limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic engine comprising,

a first magnet,

a pendulum secured at one end and having said first magnet coupled to the free end thereof,

a second magnet,

said first and second magnet each having at least one like pole in facing relationship to each other,

means located adjacent said first magnet for pivotally supporting said second magnet,

and counterweight means coupled to said second magnet,

wherein said second magnet nonnally assumes a first position under the bias of said counterweight and is moved to a second position by said first magnet as it approaches said second magnet.

2. A magnetic engine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second magnets are horseshoe-shaped magnets.

3. A magnetic engine as set forth in claim 1 further comprising first and second stop means spaced on either side of said counterweight means for limiting movement thereof.

4. A magnetic engine as defined in claim 3 wherein said counterweight extends below said second magnet and is posi tioned between said first and second stops.

* s a t a: 

1. A magnetic engine comprising, a first magnet, a pendulum secured at one end and having said first magnet coupled to the free end thereof, a second magnet, said first and second magnet each having at least one like pole in facing relationship to each other, means located adjacent said first magnet for pivotally supporting said second magnet, and counterweight means coupled to said second magnet, wherein said second magnet normally assumes a first position under the bias of said counterweight and is moved to a second position by said first magnet as it approaches said second magnet.
 2. A magnetic engine as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second magnets are horseshoe-shaped magnets.
 3. A magnetic engine as set forth in claim 1 further comprising first and second stop means spaced on either side of said counterweight means for limiting movement thereof.
 4. A magnetic engine as defined in claim 3 wherein said counterweight extends below said second magnet and is positioned between said first and second stops. 